ART SALES continue to defy the prevailing economic gloom. Last Monday evening’s auction of British and Irish Art at the RDS in Ballsbridge attracted a capacity crowd and 75 per cent of the 270 lots sold.

Auctioneer Ian Whyte said afterwards “the art market is vibrant” and that “realistic reserves are attracting discerning collectors”.

Yet again, a Jack B Yeats painting was the top seller. Among the less expensive lots, 15 of 16 watercolours depicting 1920s Asia by Henry George Gandy sold including The Forbidden City, Peking, From Coal Hill, €1,400 (€800-€1,200); The Fledgling by Patrick Hennessy €4,400 (€2,500-€3,500); and The Queen Laying A Wreath At The Islandbridge Memorial Garden by Michael Hanrahan €1,800 (€1,800-€2,200).

– MP

Top 10 prices at Whyte’s Irish and British Art Auction

1 On the Courthouse Stepsby Jack B Yeats €88,000 (€90,000-€120,000)

2 Lovers in a Gardenby Charles Edward Perugini €48,000 (€50,000-€70,000)

3 Barley Moonby Norah McGuinness €17,000 (€10,000-€15,000)

4 Sycamoresby Colin Middleton €14,500 (€15,000-€20,000)

5 Lighthouse, Galley Head, West Corkby Donald Teskey €12,000 (€5,000-€7,000)

6 Boats in Falcarragh, Co Donegalby Daniel O'Neill €11,500 (€12,000-€15,000)

7 Woman with Fanby Sarah Henrietta Purser €10,500 (€8,000-€10,000)

8 Mother and Childby William Conor €10,000 (€10,000-€15,000)

9 View of Clontarf Castleby Thomas Snagg €9,000 (€5,000-€7,000)

10 The Enchanted Forestby Kenneth Webb €7,800 (€6,000-€8,000)